Catv entry adapter and method for preventing interference with emta equipment from moca signals

ABSTRACT

A community access or cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network. MoCA signals communicated between active ports of the entry adapter are rejected by MoCA frequency rejection filters to avoid interfering with the functionality of an eMTA subscriber device connected to a passive port of the entry adapter, without interfering with the passage of CATV upstream and downstream active and passive signals.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation in part of the invention described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/255,008, filed Oct. 21, 2008 by the sameinventors herein, titled Multi-Port Entry Adapter, Hub and Method forInterfacing a CATV Network and a MoCA Network. The invention describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/255,008 is assigned to theassignee hereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to community access or cable television (CATV)networks and to Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) in-homeentertainment networks. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a new and improved CATV entry adapter which conducts CATV downstreamand upstream signals between the CATV network and subscriber equipmentconnected to the entry adapter and MoCA signals between MoCA-enableddevices connected to the entry adapter, while simultaneously preventingthe MoCA signals from interfering with the proper functionality of anembedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) device, such as a “lifeline”telephone which is also connected to the entry adapter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CATV networks use an infrastructure of interconnected coaxial cables,signal splitters and combiners, repeating amplifiers, filters, trunklines, cable taps, drop lines and other signal-conducting devices tosupply and distribute high frequency “downstream” signals from a mainsignal distribution facility, known as a “headend,” to the premises(homes and offices) of CATV subscribers. The downstream signals operatethe subscriber equipment, such as television sets, telephone sets andcomputers. In addition, most CATV networks also transmit “upstream”signals from the subscriber equipment back to the headend of the CATVnetwork. For example, the subscriber uses a set top box to selectprograms for display on the television set. As another example, two-waycommunication is essential when using a personal computer connectedthrough the CATV infrastructure to the public Internet. As a furtherexample, voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone sets use the CATVinfrastructure and the public Internet as the communication medium fortransmitting two-way telephone conversations.

To permit simultaneous communication of upstream and downstream CATVsignals and the interoperability of the subscriber equipment and theequipment associated with the CATV network infrastructure outside ofsubscriber premises, the downstream and upstream signals are confined totwo different frequency bands. The downstream frequency band is withinthe range of 54-1002 megahertz (MHz) and the upstream frequency band iswithin the range of 5-42 MHz, in most CATV networks.

The downstream signals are delivered from the CATV networkinfrastructure to the subscriber premises at a CATV entry adapter, whichis also commonly referred to as an entry device, terminal adapter or adrop amplifier. The entry adapter is a multi-port device which connectsat an entry port to a CATV drop cable from the CATV networkinfrastructure and which connects at a multiplicity of otherdistribution ports to coaxial cables which extend throughout thesubscriber premises to a cable outlet. Each cable outlet is available tobe connected to subscriber equipment. Typically, most homes have coaxialcables extending to cable outlets in almost every room, becausedifferent types of subscriber equipment may be used in different rooms.For example, television sets, computers and telephone sets are commonlyused in many different rooms of a home or office. The multipledistribution ports of the entry adapter deliver the downstream signalsto each cable outlet and conduct the upstream signals from thesubscriber equipment through the entry adapter to the drop cable and theCATV infrastructure.

In addition to television sets, computers and telephones, a relativelylarge number of other entertainment and multimedia devices are availablefor use in homes. For example, a digital video recorder (DVR) is used torecord broadcast programming, still photography and moving pictures in amemory medium so that the content can be replayed on a display ortelevision set at a later time selected by the user. As another example,computer games are also played at displays or on television sets. Suchcomputer games may be those obtained over the Internet from the CATVnetwork or from media played on play-back devices connected to displaysor television sets. As a further example, receivers ofsatellite-broadcast signals may be distributed for viewing or listeningthroughout the home. These types of devices, including themore-conventional television sets, telephone sets and devices connectedto the Internet by the CATV network, are generically referred to asmultimedia devices.

The desire to use multimedia devices at multiple different locationswithin the home or subscriber premises has led to the creation of theMultimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA). MoCA has developed specificationsfor products to create an in-home entertainment network forinterconnecting presently-known and future multimedia devices. A MoCAin-home network uses the subscriber premise or in-home coaxial cableinfrastructure originally established for distribution of CATV signalswithin the subscriber premises, principally because that coaxial cableinfrastructure already exists in most homes and is capable of carryingmuch more information than is carried in the CATV frequency bands. AMoCA network is established by connecting MoCA-enabled or MoCA interfacedevices at the cable outlets in the rooms of the subscriber premises.These MoCA interface devices implement a MoCA communication protocolwhich encapsulates the signals normally used by the multimedia deviceswithin MoCA signal packets and then communicates the MoCA signal packetsbetween other MoCA interfaces devices connected at other cable outlets.The receiving MoCA interface device removes the encapsulated multimediasignals from the MoCA signal packets, and delivers the multimediasignals to the connected display, computer or other multimedia devicefrom which the content is presented to the user.

Each MoCA-enabled device is capable of communicating with every otherMoCA-enabled device in the in-home or subscriber premises MoCA networkto deliver the multimedia content throughout the home or subscriberpremises. The multimedia content that is available from one multimediadevice can be displayed, played or otherwise used at a differentlocation within the home, without having to physically relocate theoriginating multimedia device from one location to another within thesubscriber premises. The communication of multimedia content isconsidered beneficial in more fully utilizing the multimedia devicespresent in modern homes.

Since the operation of the subscriber premises MoCA network must occursimultaneously with the operation of the CATV services, the MoCA signalsutilize a frequency range different from the frequency ranges of theCATV upstream and downstream signals. The typical MoCA frequency band is1125-1525 MHz. This so-called D band of MoCA signals is divided intoeight different frequency ranges, D1-D8, and these eight different Dfrequency ranges are used to assure communication between the selectedMoCA-enabled devices. For example, the D-1 band at 1125-1175 MHz may beused to communicate CATV television programming content between a MoCAinterface device associated with a set-top box in a main room of thehouse and another MoCA interface device connected to a television set inbedroom of the house, while a MoCA interface device connected to acomputer gaming multimedia device in a basement room of the housesimultaneously communicates computer game content over the D-6 band at1375-1425 MHz to another MoCA interface device associated with acomputer located in a recreation room of the house. The MoCA frequencyband also includes other frequency ranges, but the D band is of majorrelevance because of its principal use in establishing connectionsbetween the MoCA interface devices.

Although using the subscriber premises coaxial cable infrastructure asthe communication medium substantially simplifies the implementation ofthe MoCA network, there are certain disadvantages to doing so. The MoCAsignals have the capability of passing through the CATV entry device andentering the CATV network infrastructure where those MoCA signals maythen pass through a drop cable and enter another subscriber's premises.The presence of the MoCA signals at an adjoining subscriber's premisescompromises the privacy and security of the information originallyintended to be confined only within the original subscriber premises.The MoCA signals from the original subscriber premises which enterthrough the CATV network to another subscriber premises also have thepotential to adversely affect the performance of a MoCA network in theother subscriber premises. The conflict of MoCA signals from theoriginal and other subscriber premises may cause the MoCA interfacedevices to malfunction or not operate properly.

CATV networks are subject to adverse influences from so-called ingressnoise which enters the CATV network from external sources, located atthe subscriber premises. The typical range of ingress noise is in thefrequency band of 0-15 MHz, but can also exist in other upstream ordownstream frequencies. Ingress noise mitigation devices have beendeveloped to suppress or reduce ingress noise from the subscriberpremises in the 0-42 MHz frequency band, but the 1125-1525 MHz signalsin the MoCA frequency range are considerably outside the range of thenormal ingress noise. Therefore, typical ingress noise suppressiondevices are ineffectual in inhibiting MoCA signals.

MoCA signals, residing outside of the CATV signal frequency bands of5-42 MHz and 54-1002 MHz, may constitute another source of noise for theCATV network. Separate MoCA frequency rejection filters have beendeveloped for external connection to CATV entry adapters, in an effortto keep the MoCA frequency signals confined to the subscriber premises.However, the use of such devices is subject to unauthorized removal,tampering, negligence in original installation, and physical exposurewhich could lead to premature failure or malfunction.

Problems also arise because the CATV network and the in-home cableinfrastructure were originally intended for the distribution of CATVsignals. The typical in-home cable infrastructure uses signal splittersto divide a single CATV downstream signal into multiple CATV downstreamsignals and to combine multiple CATV upstream signals into a single CATVupstream signal. The CATV entry adapter was not originally intended tocommunicate MoCA signals between its active ports, as is necessary toachieve MoCA signal communication in the MoCA network. To implement theMoCA network, the MoCA signals must traverse or “jump” between separatesignal component legs of a signal splitter/combiner which are connectedto the multiple active ports. This signal traversal is referred to as“splitter jumping.”

The typical signal splitter has a high degree of signal rejection orisolation between its separate signal component legs. When the MoCAsignals jump or traverse between the separate signal component legs ofthe splitter, the degree of signal rejection or isolation greatlyattenuates the strength of the MoCA signals. The physical MoCA signalcommunication paths are also variable because of unpredictabledifferences in the in-home cable infrastructure. The MoCA communicationprotocol recognizes the possibility of variable strength MoCA signalsand provides a capability to boost the strength of MoCA signals tocompensate for the variable strength of the MoCA signals that wouldotherwise be communicated between MoCA-enabled devices.

The strength or power of the MoCA signals can be substantially greaterthan the strength or power of the CATV signals communicated within thesubscriber premises. The higher power MoCA signals may result from theMoCA devices compensating for reduced signal strength by boosting thestrength or power of the transmitted MoCA signals, or from the simplefact that the MoCA signals traverse a considerably shorter signal pathwithin the subscriber premises MoCA network compared to the considerablylonger signal path which CATV downstream signals traverse over the CATVnetwork infrastructure. Consequently, the MoCA signals have thecapability of adversely affecting the proper functionality of CATVsubscriber equipment.

One example of the significant negative impact from MoCA signals occursin a CATV entry adapter of the type which has both a passive signaldistribution port and multiple active signal distribution ports. Such aCATV entry adapter supplies a passive CATV downstream signal to thepassive port and receives a passive CATV upstream signal from the eMTAdevice connected to the passive port. The CATV entry adapter alsosupplies active CATV downstream signals to each of its multiple activeports and receives active CATV upstream signals from each of itsmultiple active ports. Such an entry adapter includes a splitter whichdivides the CATV downstream signals into passive signals and activesignals. The passive signals are conducted through the entry adapterwithout amplification, conditioning or modification before they aredelivered from the passive port to subscriber equipment. The activesignals are usually conducted through a forward path amplifier, wherethe amplifier amplifies the strength of the CATV downstream signals, ormodifies or conditions some characteristic of those CATV signals, beforedelivering them from the active ports to the active subscriberequipment. Most subscriber equipment benefits from amplified CATVdownstream signals. The majority of ports on a CATV entry adapter areactive ports. Usually only one passive port is provided for each entryadapter.

The subscriber equipment connected to the passive port of the entryadapter is an embedded multimedia terminal adapter (eMTA) device,typically a “lifeline” telephone set. An eMTA device combines a cablemodem and analog telephone adapter. The cable modem provides a datainterface for communicating Internet protocol packets to and from theCATV network, and an analog telephone adapter provides a voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) interface for the analog telephone set. TheeMTA device converts between analog voice signals and packets. Alifeline telephone is a well known example of an eMTA device.

The passive signals conducted through the entry adapter do not undergoamplification, conditioning or modification in the entry adapter beforethey are delivered from the passive port to passive eMTA subscriberequipment. In general, the passive signals are intended to remainavailable and useful in emergency conditions. The functionality of alifeline telephone set can not depend on the proper functionality of anamplifier or other active signal conditioner in the passive signal path.Consequently, the passive CATV downstream signals received by the eMTAlifeline telephone device have relatively low power, compared to thepower of the MoCA signals communicated between the MoCA devicesconnected to the active ports of the entry adapter.

The entry adapter includes an upstream bandpass filter which conductsthe CATV upstream signals in the 5-42 MHz frequency band and adownstream bandpass filter which conducts the CATV downstream signals inthe 54-1002 MHz frequency band. Although the CATV upstream anddownstream bandpass filters are intended to substantially reject signalsoutside of their bandpass frequencies, the substantially higher powerMoCA signals in the 1125-1525 MHz frequency band have the capability ofbleeding through typical CATV upstream and downstream bandpass filterswith sufficient strength to rival or predominate over the strength ofthe CATV downstream passive signals delivered from the passive port tothe eMTA subscriber equipment. The MoCA signals are noise to the eMTAsubscriber equipment, and the eMTA subscriber equipment does notfunction in response to MoCA signals. However, the strength of the MoCAsignals can constitute such a significant noise level as to overwhelm oroverdrive the eMTA device and thereby degrade or interfere with itsfunctionality to the point where reliable communication cannot beachieved. It is for this reason that CATV entry adapters which alsoserve as part of the MoCA network are subject to requirements for MoCAsignal isolation or rejection at the passive port compared to the activeand entry ports of the entry adapter. At the present time, passive portisolation of approximately 60 dB is considered desirable.

The problem of the power from MoCA signals interfering with the properfunctionality of eMTA subscriber equipment connected to the passive portof a CATV entry adapter only occurs with respect to subscriber equipmentwhich is not MoCA-enabled. MoCA-enabled subscriber equipment is intendedto operate in response to MoCA signals, and as a result, has thecapability of rejecting unwanted MoCA signals when also operating inresponse to CATV downstream and upstream signals. At the present time,most passive subscriber equipment is not MoCA enabled. Consequently, theproblem of the MoCA signals inhibiting the proper functionality ofpassive subscriber equipment is significant in CATV entry adapters whichalso conduct MoCA signals in a subscriber premises MoCA network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a CATV entry adapter which beneficiallycontributes to the establishment of a MoCA in-home network withoutdegrading the quality of the signals and service provided to and fromeMTA subscriber equipment. The CATV entry adapter of the presentinvention effectively eliminates an interfering effect of MoCA signalsat its passive port, thereby avoiding the problem of the MoCA signalsinterfering with the proper functionality of the eMTA subscriberequipment connected to the passive port. The present invention permitseMTA subscriber equipment which is not MoCA-enabled to be usedeffectively when the CATV entry adapter functions as a hub forcommunicating MoCA signals between MoCA enabled devices connected toactive ports of the entry adapter. Non-MoCA enabled subscriber equipmentmay therefore be used effectively without additional cost to thesubscriber when a MoCA network is established in the subscriberpremises. The CATV entry adapter also enhances the strength of the MoCAsignals communicated in the MoCA network.

To achieve these and other improvements, one aspect of the inventionrelates to a CATV entry adapter having an entry port for communicatingCATV downstream and upstream signals with a CATV network and also havinga passive distribution port and a plurality of active distribution portsfor communicating CATV downstream and upstream signals to subscriberequipment at a subscriber premises. The passive port is adapted to beconnected to eMTA subscriber equipment. The active ports are adapted tobe connected to CATV subscriber equipment and to MoCA-enabled subscriberequipment in a MoCA network at the subscriber's premises. The pluralityof active ports also communicate MoCA signals between the MoCA-enabledsubscriber equipment connected to the active ports in a subscriberpremises MoCA network. A first bidirectional splitter/combiner of theentry adapter has a common terminal connected to the entry port tocommunicate the CATV downstream and upstream signals with the CATVnetwork. The first splitter/combiner also has first and second separatesignal component legs. The first splitter/combiner splits CATVdownstream signals into split CATV downstream signals and supplies eachsplit CATV downstream signal to the first and second signal componentlegs. The first splitter/combiner creates a single combined upstreamsignal from each upstream signal received at the first and second signalcomponent legs and supplies the combined upstream signal to the commonterminal. A passive signal communication path extends between the firstsignal component leg of the first splitter/combiner and the passiveport. The passive signal communication path conducts passive signalsbetween the passive port and the first signal component leg of the firstsplitter/combiner. An active signal communication path extends from thesecond signal component leg of the first splitter/combiner to conductactive signals to and from the second signal component leg of the firstsplitter/combiner. A second bidirectional splitter/combiner has a commonterminal and a plurality of separate signal component legs. Each signalcomponent leg is connected to an active port. The secondsplitter/combiner splits each signal received at its common terminalinto split signals and supplies each split signal to each of the signalcomponent legs. The second splitter/combiner also creates a combinedactive signal from each CATV upstream signal and MoCA signal received ateach signal component leg and supplies the combined active signal to itscommon terminal. The second splitter/combiner performs signal splittingand signal combining on CATV downstream signals, CATV upstream signalsand MoCA signals. A first MoCA frequency rejection filter is connectedbetween the active signal communication path and the secondsplitter/combiner. The first MoCA frequency rejection filter rejects asignificant majority of the power from MoCA signals present at thecommon terminal of the second splitter/combiner and passes the CATVupstream and downstream signals communicated to and from the activeports without substantial attenuation.

One additional aspect of the CATV entry adapter involves the first MoCAfrequency rejection filter reflecting power from MoCA signals receivedfrom the common terminal of the second splitter/combiner back to thecommon terminal of the second splitter/combiner, and the secondsplitter/combiner supplying the MoCA signals reflected from the firstMoCA frequency rejection filter as split reflected MoCA signals to thesignal component legs of the second splitter/combiner, therebyincreasing the efficiency and power of the MoCA signal distributionamong the active ports of the entry adapter. The reflected MoCA signalsadd power to the MoCA signals which traverse or jump between signalcomponent legs of the signal splitter/combiner.

Another additional aspect of the CATV entry adapter involves a secondMoCA frequency rejection filter connected in the passive signalcommunication path between the first signal component leg of the firstsplitter/combiner and the passive port. The second MoCA frequencyrejection filter rejects a significant majority of the power from MoCAsignals present at the first signal component leg of the firstsplitter/combiner, thereby eliminating or reducing the effects of MoCAsignals on the eMTA subscriber equipment connected to the passive portand preserving the quality of the CATV upstream and downstream signalscommunicated to and from the eMTA subscriber equipment connected to thepassive port.

A further additional aspect of the CATV entry adapter involves a thirdMoCA frequency rejection filter connected between the common terminal ofthe first splitter/combiner and the entry port. The third MoCA frequencyrejection filter rejects a significant majority of the power from MoCAsignals present at the common terminal of the first splitter/combinerand passes the CATV upstream and downstream signals communicated to andfrom the entry port without substantial attenuation. The third MoCAsignal frequency rejection filter inhibits conduction of MoCA signalsfrom the subscriber premises MoCA network onto the CATV network andinhibits conduction of spurious MoCA signals from the CATV network intothe MoCA network at the subscriber premises.

Another aspect of the invention which involves a method of preventingMoCA signals communicated between MoCA-enabled subscriber devicesconnected to a CATV entry adapter in a MoCA network from interferingwith communications from an eMTA subscriber device connected by the CATVentry adapter to a CATV network. The method comprises connecting theeMTA subscriber device to a passive port of the entry adapter,communicating passive CATV downstream and upstream signals between theCATV network and the eMTA subscriber device through the entry adapterand the passive port, connecting each MoCA-enabled subscriber device toone of a plurality of active ports of the entry adapter, communicatingMoCA signals through the entry adapter and the active ports between theMoCA-enabled subscriber devices in the MoCA network, splitting CATVdownstream signals received from the CATV network within the entryadapter into split CATV downstream signals and supplying one split CATVdownstream signal to the passive port and supplying the other split CATVdownstream signal to the active ports, combining CATV upstream signalsreceived from the passive and active ports within the entry adapter intoa CATV combined upstream signal and supplying the CATV combined upstreamsignal from the entry adapter to the CATV network, combining CATVupstream signals and MoCA signals received from the active ports withinthe entry adapter into a combined active signal, rejecting a significantmajority of the power from MoCA signals within the combined activesignal by supplying the combined active signal to a first MoCA frequencyrejection filter within the entry adapter, and passing the CATVdownstream and upstream signals within the combined active signalthrough the first MoCA frequency rejection filter without substantialattenuation.

One additional aspect of the method involves reflecting split reflectedMoCA signals from the first MoCA frequency rejection filter to theactive ports. The power of the split reflected MoCA signals and thepower of MoCA signals that traverse between the active ports are addedtogether to enhance the power of the MoCA signals conducted from theactive ports to the MoCA-enabled subscriber equipment in the subscriberpremises MoCA network.

Another additional aspect of the method involves rejecting a significantmajority of the power of any MoCA signals from the combined activesignal otherwise conducted to the passive port by supplying the combinedactive signal to a second MoCA frequency rejection filter within theentry adapter, and passing the CATV downstream and upstream signalscommunicated with the passive port through the second MoCA frequencyrejection filter without substantial attenuation.

A further additional aspect of the method involves rejecting with athird MoCA frequency rejection filter within the entry adapter asignificant majority of the power from MoCA signals that would otherwisebe conducted from the entry adapter to the CATV network and that wouldotherwise be conducted from the CATV network into the entry adapterwithout substantially attenuating the CATV upstream and downstreamsignals communicated to and from the entry adapter.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention, as well as themanner in which the present invention achieves the above and otherimprovements, can be obtained by reference to the following detaileddescription of presently preferred embodiments taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, which are briefly summarized below, and byreference to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a plurality of CATV entryadapters which incorporate the present invention, some of which areshown interconnecting a CATV network and an MoCA in-home network locatedat subscriber premises.

FIG. 2 is a generalized perspective view of one CATV entry adapter shownin FIG. 1 in a subscriber premises, connected to the MoCA network and toactive and passive subscriber equipment shown in block diagram form.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functional components of the CATV entryadapter shown in FIG. 2, shown connected to the CATV network, to thepassive subscriber equipment, and to active subscriber equipment formingnodes of the MoCA network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A community access television or cable television (CATV) entry adapter10 which incorporates the present invention is shown generally inFIG. 1. The CATV entry adapter 10 is located at or in a CATVsubscriber's premises 12 and forms a part of a conventional MoCA in-homeentertainment network 14. Multimedia devices 16 are interconnected bythe MoCA network 14 in the subscriber premises 12. The multimediadevices 16 communicate multimedia content or MoCA signals between oneanother using the MoCA network 14. The MoCA network 14 is formed in partby the preexisting coaxial cable infrastructure (represented generallyby coaxial cables 18) present in the subscriber premises 12. Examples ofmultimedia devices 16 are digital video recorders, computers, datamodems, computer game playing devices, television sets, televisionset-top boxes, and other audio and visual entertainment devices. Ingeneral, the multimedia devices 16 constitute active subscriberequipment.

The CATV entry adapter 10 is also a part of a conventional CATV network20. The CATV entry adapter delivers CATV content or signals from theCATV network 20 to subscriber equipment at the subscriber premises 12.In addition to the multimedia devices 16, the subscriber equipment mayalso include other devices which do not operate as a part of the MoCAnetwork 14 but which are intended to function as a result of connectionto the CATV network 20. Examples of subscriber equipment which arenormally not part of the MoCA network 14 are eMTA devices 21 which areexemplified by a voice modem 46 and connected telephone set 48.

The CATV entry adapter 10 has beneficial characteristics which allow itto function in multiple roles simultaneously in both the MoCA network 14and in the CATV network 20, thereby benefiting both the MoCA network 14and the CATV network 20. The CATV entry adapter 10 functions as a hub inthe MoCA network 14, to effectively transfer or distribute MoCA signalsbetween the multimedia devices 16. The CATV entry adapter 10 alsofunctions in a conventional role as an interface between the CATVnetwork 20 and the subscriber equipment located at the subscriberpremises, thereby facilitating CATV service to the subscriber. Inaddition, the CATV entry adapter 10 effectively prevents MoCA signalsfrom the MoCA network 14 from interfering with and degrading thefunctionality and performance of the eMTA device 21, thereby assuringthat the intended functionality of the connected eMTA device will bemaintained even though a MoCA network 14 is connected to and interactswith the entry adapter 10. These and other improvements and functionsare described in greater detail below.

The CATV network 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a typical topology. Downstreamsignals 22 originate from programming sources at a headend 24 of theCATV network 20, and are conducted to the CATV entry adapter 10 in asequential path through a main trunk cable 26, a signalsplitter/combiner 28, secondary trunk cables 30, another signalsplitter/combiner 32, distribution cable branches 34, cable taps 36, anddrop cables 38. Upstream signals 40 are delivered from the CATV entryadapter 10 to the CATV network 20, and are conducted to the headend 24in a reverse sequence. Interspersed at appropriate locations within thetopology of the CATV network 20 are conventional repeater amplifiers 42,which amplify both the downstream signals 22 and the upstream signals40. Conventional repeater amplifiers may also be included in the cabletaps 36. The cable taps 36 and signal splitter/combiners 28 and 32divide a single downstream signal into multiple separate downstreamsignals, and combine multiple upstream signals into a single upstreamsignal.

The CATV entry adapter 10 receives the downstream signals 22 from theCATV network 20 at a CATV network connection or entry port 44. Passivedownstream signals are conducted through the CATV entry adapter 10 tothe eMTA device 21 without amplification, enhancement, modification orother substantial conditioning. Passive downstream signals are deliveredfrom a passive port 45 to passive subscriber equipment, i.e. the eMTAdevice 21 represented by the voice modem 46 connected to the telephoneset 48. Active downstream signals are amplified, filtered, modified,enhanced or otherwise conditioned by power-consuming active electroniccircuit components within the CATV entry adapter 10, such as anamplifier, for example. The active downstream signals are divided intomultiple copies, and a copy is delivered from each of a plurality ofactive ports, collectively referenced at 49 (but individually referencedat 50, 52, 54 and 56 in FIG. 2). The active downstream signals aredelivered to active subscriber equipment located at the subscriberpremises 12.

Typically, the active subscriber equipment will be the multimediadevices 16 connected as part of the MoCA network 14. However, an activesubscriber device does not have to be MoCA-enabled. An example of anon-MoCA-enabled active subscriber device is a television set directlyconnected to an active port of the CATV entry adapter without the use ofa MoCA interface. In this example, the non-MoCA-enabled television setwould not be a part of the MoCA network 14.

The CATV subscriber equipment typically generates upstream signals 40(FIG. 2) and delivers them to the CATV entry adapter 10 for delivery tothe CATV network 20. The upstream signals 40 may be passive upstreamsignals generated by the eMTA device 21, or the upstream signals 40 maybe active upstream signals generated by active subscriber equipment ormultimedia devices 16, as exemplified by set-top boxes connected totelevision sets (neither shown). Set top boxes allow thesubscriber/viewer to make programming and viewing selections.

More details concerning the CATV entry device are shown in FIG. 2. TheCATV entry adapter 10 includes a housing 58 which encloses internalelectronic circuit components (shown in FIG. 3). A mounting flange 60surrounds the housing 58 and holes 62 in the flange 60 allow attachmentof the CATV entry adapter 10 to a support structure at the subscriberpremises. Electrical power for the active components of the CATV entryadapter 10 is supplied from a conventional DC power supply 66 connectedto a dedicated power input port 68. Alternatively, electrical power canbe supplied through a conventional power inserter (not shown) that isconnected to one of the active ports 50, 52, 54 or 56. The powerinserter allows relatively low voltage DC power to be conducted throughthe same active port that also conducts high-frequency signals. Use of aconventional power inserter eliminates the need for a separate dedicatedpower supply port 68, or provides an alternative port through whichelectrical power can also be applied. The power supply 66 or the powersupplied from the power inserter is typically derived from aconventional wall outlet (not shown) within the subscriber premises. TheCATV network 20 is connected to the CATV network connection entry port44 of the CATV entry adapter 10.

The ports 44, 45, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 68 are each preferably formed by aconventional female coaxial cable connector which is mechanicallyconnected to the housing 58 and which is electrically connected tointernal components of the CATV entry adapter 10. Coaxial cables 18 fromthe subscriber premises cable infrastructure and the drop cables 38(FIG. 1) are connected to the CATV entry adapter 10 by mechanicallyconnecting the corresponding mating male coaxial cable connectors (notshown) on these coaxial cables to the female coaxial cable connectorsforming the ports 44, 45, 50, 52, 54, 56 and 68.

One CATV entry adapter 10 is located at each subscriber premises. Thenumber of active and passive ports 45, 50, 52, 54 and 56 is dictated bythe number of coaxial cables 18 which are routed throughout thesubscriber premises. Although the CATV entry adapter 10 shown in FIG. 2includes seven ports, other entry adapters may have a larger or smallernumber of ports. The number and routing of the coaxial cables 18 withinthe subscriber premises constitute the in-home or subscriber premisecable infrastructure that is used by the MoCA network 14 (FIG. 1).

Since the CATV service provider provides the CATV entry adapter 10 foruse by each CATV subscriber, it is advantageous to reduce the number ofdifferent configurations of CATV entry adapters that subscribers mayrequire. Doing so offers economies of scale in mass production, reducesthe opportunity for errors in installation, allows the subscriber toexpand and change the in-home cable infrastructure, and reducesinventory costs, among other things. Incorporating functionality in theCATV entry adapter 10 to give it the capability of functioning as a hubin the MoCA network 14 (FIG. 1) also promotes economies of scale, errorreduction, expansion capability, versatility and reduction in inventorycost. With the improvements described below, the CATV entry adapter 10permits the effective use of both eMTA devices 21 and multimedia devices16 connected in a MoCA network 14, without degrading or compromising theintended functionality of a connected eMTA device 21.

Each of the coaxial cables 18 of the in-home cable infrastructureterminates at a cable outlet 70. Those coaxial cables 18 which are notcurrently in use are preferably terminated with an appropriatetermination resistor (not shown) located at the cable outlet 70 of thesecoaxial cables 18. In most cases however, the cable outlet 70 of thecoaxial cable 72 is connected to a MoCA interface device 72 to which aseparate multimedia device 16 is connected.

Each MoCA interface device 72 is conventional and contains a controller(not shown) which is programmed with the necessary functionality toimplement the MoCA communication protocol. Each MoCA interface device 72is connected between the cable outlet 70 and a multimedia device 16.When the multimedia device 16 creates output signals, those outputsignals are encapsulated or otherwise embodied in MoCA signals createdby the MoCA interface device 72, and then those MoCA signals aretransmitted by one MoCA interface device 72 through the coaxial cables18 of the in-home cable infrastructure, through the CATV entry adapter10 acting as a MoCA network hub, and to another receiving MoCA interfacedevice 72 in the MoCA network 14 at the subscriber premises. Thereceiving MoCA interface device 72 extracts the original output signalsthat were originally encapsulated or otherwise embodied in the MoCAsignals, and the receiving MoCA interface device 72 supplies thoseoriginal output signals to the multimedia device 16 to which thereceiving MoCA interface device 72 is attached. The receiving MoCAinterface device 72 may send administrative signals back to the originaltransmitting MoCA interface device 72 to confirm receipt of the MoCAsignals and otherwise provide information, such as signal strength. Inthis manner, MoCA signals which contain the multimedia content from onemultimedia device 16 are communicated through the MoCA network 14(FIG. 1) to another MoCA-enabled multimedia device 16 for use at itslocation. Functioning in this manner, and in terms of the conventionalterminology used in the field of networks, the MoCA interface device 72and the multimedia device 16 form one node 74 of the MoCA network 14.MoCA signals are communicated in the described manner between thedifferent MoCA nodes 74 of the MoCA network 14.

Although the MoCA interface device is 72 are shown as separate from themultimedia devices 16, each MoCA interface device 72 is typicallyincorporated within or as an integral part of each MoCA-enabledmultimedia device 16. However, for those multimedia devices 16 which donot include a built-in MoCA interface device 72, a separate MoCA-enableddevice 72 is connected to the multimedia device 16 to thereby allow itto participate as a node in the MoCA network 14.

The internal functional components of the CATV entry adapter 10 areshown in FIG. 3. Those internal circuit components include a firstconventional bi-directional signal splitter/combiner 76 which splits thedownstream signals 22 from the CATV network 20 received at a commonterminal from the entry port 44. The downstream signals 22 are splitinto passive CATV downstream signals 78 at one separate signal componentleg 77 and into active CATV downstream signals 80 at another separatesignal component leg 81.

The passive downstream signals 78 are conducted in a passive signalcommunication path 79 directly to and through the passive port 45 to theeMTA device 21. Passive upstream signals 82 are created by the eMTAdevice 21 and are conducted through the passive port 45 through thepassive signal communication path 79 to the signal splitter/combiner 76to become upstream signals 40 in the CATV network 20. The passive signalcommunication path 79 for the passive signals in the CATV entry adapter10 contains no power-consuming active electronic components that mightfail or malfunction, thereby enhancing the reliability of CATV passivecommunications. The passive signal communication path 79 is intended tobe as reliable as possible since it is used in emergency and criticalcircumstances. A “lifeline” telephone communication capabilityestablished by the voice modem 46 and telephone set 48 (FIG. 1) is oneexample of an eMTA device 21.

The active CATV downstream signals 80 from the other separate signalcomponent leg 81 of the splitter/combiner 76 are conducted to a firstCATV downstream frequency bandpass filter 84 in an active downstreamsignal communication path 85. The downstream filter 84 passes signalshaving frequencies in the CATV downstream frequency range of 54-1002MHz, and rejects signals having frequencies in other ranges. Thedownstream signals passed by the filter 84 are amplified by an amplifier86 and then supplied to a second CATV downstream frequency bandpassfilter 88, both of which are also part of the active downstream signalcommunication path 85.

The amplified and further filtered active CATV downstream signals arethen conducted to a MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 having aconventional construction. The function of the MoCA frequency rejectionfilter 90 is to reject signals in the MoCA frequency range of 1125-1525MHz by not conducting those signals through the filter 90. Signals infrequency ranges outside of the MoCA frequency band of 1125-1525 MHz arepassed through the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90. The CATVdownstream signals are in the 54-1002 MHz frequency range, so the MoCAfrequency rejection filter 90 readily passes the CATV downstreamsignals.

After passing through the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90, the CATVdownstream signals in the frequency range of 54-1002 MHz are applied toa common terminal of a second conventional bidirectionalsplitter/combiner 94. The splitter/combiner 94 splits or divides thosesignals into four identical downstream signals, each of which hasapproximately one-fourth of the power or signal strength of thedownstream signal initially applied to the splitter/combiner 94. Each ofthe split signals is delivered from one of four separate signalcomponent legs 91, 92, 93 and 95 of the splitter/combiner 94. The foursplit signals from the signal component legs 91, 92, 93 and 95 of thesplitter/combiner 94 are applied at the active ports 50, 52, 54 and 56of the CATV entry adapter 10, respectively. Although four active ports50, 52, 54 and 56 are shown, more active ports are achieved by use of asplitter/combiner with a different number of signal component legs, orby use of multiple cascaded splitters/combiners, to derive the desirednumber of split signals to be applied to all of the active ports of theentry adapter 10.

To the extent that the multimedia devices 16 connected through thecoaxial cables 18 to the active ports respond to the CATV downstreamsignals available at the active ports 50, 52, 54 and 56, each MoCAinterface device 72 passes those downstream signals directly to themultimedia device 16. The MoCA interface device 72 does not modify orotherwise influence CATV downstream signals passing through it. In thosecases where the multimedia device 16 is capable of sending CATV upstreamsignals 96, those CATV upstream signals 96 are likewise passed throughthe MoCA interface device 72 without change or influence and are thenconducted through the cable outlet 70, the coaxial cable 18 and theactive ports 50, 52, 54 or 56 to the splitter/combiner 94. Thesplitter/combiner 94 combines all CATV upstream signals 96 and suppliesthose signals as combined active upstream signals 96 to the MoCAfrequency rejection filter 90. Since the CATV upstream signals 96 arewithin the frequency band of 5-42 MHz and are outside of the 1125-1525MHz MoCA frequency band, the CATV upstream signals 96 are passedupstream by MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 into an active signalcommunication path 99.

The combined active upstream signals 96 from the MoCA frequencyrejection filter 90 are supplied to a first CATV upstream frequencybandpass filter 98 of the active upstream signal communication path 99.The filter 98 passes signals having frequencies in the CATV upstreamfrequency range of 5-42 MHz, and rejects signals having frequencies inother ranges. The CATV upstream signals passed by the filter 96 are thensupplied to an ingress noise mitigation circuit 100. The ingress noisemitigation circuit 100 suppresses ingress noise in the range of 0-42 MHzthat may have originated from noise sources within the subscriberpremises. Use of the ingress noise mitigation circuit 100 is optional inthe CATV entry adapter 10, but if employed, the noise mitigation circuit100 is preferably employed in the form described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/250,227, filed Oct. 13, 2008, and titled IngressNoise Inhibiting Network Interface Device and Method for CableTelevision Networks, which is assigned to the assignee hereof.

The CATV upstream signals leaving the ingress noise mitigation circuit100 are then applied to a second CATV upstream frequency bandpass filter102. The second CATV upstream frequency bandpass filter 102 is alsooptional for use. The second upstream bandpass filter 102 may not benecessary if the first upstream bandpass filter 98 provides sufficientfrequency filtering characteristics and the ingress noise mitigationcircuit 100 is not used. The second upstream bandpass filter 102 mayalso be eliminated under certain circumstances, even when the ingressnoise mitigation circuit 100 is used. The ingress noise mitigationcircuit 100 and the second CATV upstream bandpass filter 102 are alsopart of the active upstream signal communication path 99.

The active upstream signals from the active upstream signalcommunication path 99 are supplied to the signal component leg 81 of thesplitter/combiner 76. The passive upstream signals 82 from the passivesignal communication path 79 are supplied to the signal component leg 77of the splitter/combiner 76. The splitter/combiner 76 combines thesignals supplied to its signal component legs and 77 and 81 to form asingle combined upstream signal 40.

The MoCA network 14 exists between and through the active ports 50, 52,54 and 56, as is shown in FIG. 3. Ideally, the MoCA signals in the MoCAnetwork 14 should be confined to paths between the MoCA interfacedevices 72 through the cable outlets 70, the coaxial cables 18, theactive ports 50, 52, 54 and 56, and the splitter/combiner 94. When theMoCA frequency rejection filter 90 has sufficient size and capacity toeffectively suppress and reject substantially all of the power orstrength of the MoCA signals present at the common terminal of thesplitter/combiner 94, the MoCA signals will be confined in this idealmanner. However, a MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 which has thecapability to effectively suppress and reject substantially all thepower of the MoCA signals is relatively costly, will require a largenumber of components to fabricate thereby making its manufacture moredifficult and expensive, and will require substantially greatermanufacturing effort to tune to achieve effective MoCA frequencyrejection in connection with establishing the bandpass characteristicsof the CATV downstream and upstream filters 84, 88, 98, and 102. Theinterrelated nature of the filters 90, 84, 88, 98 and 102 in the singleentry adapter 10 makes the proper operation of each filter depend on theproper operation of all of the other filters. Tuning all of the filterstherefore becomes an expensive, repetitive, and time-consuming iterativeactivity.

In general, without substantial suppression of the MoCA signals by theMoCA frequency rejection filter 90, MoCA signals having enough strengthto adversely influence the proper functionality of the eMTA device 21may bleed or otherwise propagate through the circuitry of the activecommunication paths 85 and 99 and interact with the passive CATVupstream and downstream signals 82 and 78 in the passive communicationpath 79. The strength of the MoCA signals which propagate in this mannermay be sufficient to corrupt the information contained in the passiveCATV signals 78 and 82, and thereby compromise or prevent the properfunctionality of the eMTA device 21. The strength of the MoCA signalswhich propagate in this manner may also be sufficient to overwhelmcertain transmitters and receivers within the eMTA device 21, which willalso compromise or prevent its proper functionality.

If only a single MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 is utilized in theentry adapter 10, that single MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 musthave the singular capacity of rejecting or isolating the MoCA signalsfrom the CATV signals within the entry adapter 10 and confining the MoCAsignals to the MoCA network 14. At the present time, it is expected thatapproximately 60 dB will be the required minimum isolation capacity toprevent the MoCA frequency signals from adversely influencing the properfunctionality of the eMTA device 21. Manufacturing a single MoCAfrequency rejection filter having a 60 dB isolation capacity is complex,expensive and time-consuming. A relatively large number of componentparts are required to create a rejection filter of this capacity. Thecomponents must be assembled and then tuned under circumstances wheretuning the MoCA frequency rejection filter will usually be influenced bythe tuning of the CATV bandpass filters 84, 88, 98 and 102.

To avoid the cost and complexity of manufacturing and tuning a singleMoCA frequency rejection filter 90 having sufficient capacity to rejectall MoCA signals and prevent them from entering the signal communicationpaths 85 and 99 of the entry adapter, one or more additional MoCAfrequency rejection filters 104 and 108 is incorporated in the entryadapter 10. In this circumstance, the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90is not required to reject the entire strength of the MoCA signals, butinstead has a capacity which is sufficient to reject the substantialmajority of the strength of the MoCA signals. The remaining portion ofthe MoCA signal strength is rejected by one or both of the additionalMoCA frequency rejection filters 104 and 108.

The second MoCA frequency rejection filter 104 is connected in thepassive communication path 79. The second MoCA frequency rejectionfilter 104 rejects the residual MoCA signals that pass through the firstMoCA frequency rejection filter 90 into the active downstream andupstream communication paths 85 and 99. Residual MoCA signals aretherefore prevented from interacting with the eMTA device 21 due to theMoCA frequency rejection capability of the second MoCA frequencyrejection filter 104. The second MoCA frequency rejection filter 104does not influence the passive downstream signals supplied to the eMTAdevice 21 or the passive upstream signal supplied from the eMTA device,because the rejection capability of the second rejection filter 104applies only to signals in the 1125-1525 MHz range and the CATV passivedownstream and upstream signals occupy entirely different frequencyranges of 5-42 MHz and 52-1002 MHz.

The third MoCA frequency rejection filter 108 is connected between thecommon terminal of the splitter/combiner 76 and the CATV network entryport 44. The third MoCA frequency rejection filter 108 rejects theresidual MoCA signals which have bled through the first MoCA frequencyrejection filter 90, the active signal communication paths 85 and 99 andthe splitter/combiner 76, thereby preventing those residual MoCA signalsfrom reaching the CATV network 20. Without the MoCA rejection filter108, as understood from FIG. 1, the residual MoCA signals from one CATVentry adapter 10 could traverse the drop cables 38 to the cable tap 36,and from the cable tap through another drop cable 38 of that cable tap36 to another CATV entry adapter 10 of a different CATV subscriber.Preventing the residual MoCA signals from reaching an adjacentsubscriber premises is important in securing the privacy of thecommunications within the MoCA network 14 of the original CATVsubscriber and from preventing interference with the properfunctionality of the MoCA network of a different CATV subscriber. From asimilar perspective, the third MoCA rejection filter 108 also preventsresidual MoCA signals present on the CATV network 20 from the MoCAnetwork of another CATV subscriber from entering the CATV entry adapter10 at the entry port 44 and contributing to problems with proper passivesignal communication to and from the eMTA device 21. Thus, the thirdMoCA frequency rejection filter 108 prevents MoCA signals from escapingfrom the entry adapter 10 to the CATV network 20 and prevents MoCAsignals present on the CATV network 20 from entering the entry adapter10.

By dividing the MoCA frequency rejection functionality among multipleMoCA frequency rejection filters 90, 104 and 108, each of the MoCAfrequency rejection filters can have a smaller capacity. The smallercapacity makes the MoCA frequency rejection filters less costly andcomplex to manufacture. The reduced rejection capacity does not involveas much interaction with the CATV bandpass filters, thereby reducing thedifficulty of tuning the smaller capacity filters. Smaller capacity MoCAfrequency rejection filters require fewer components and lessmanufacturing effort. In general, dividing the MoCA frequency rejectionfunctionality among multiple MoCA frequency rejection filters simplifiesthe manufacturing and achieves equal or better MoCA frequency rejectionperformance than that obtained by a more complex single MoCA rejectionfilter 90.

Preferably, the combination of MoCA frequency rejection filters achievesat least 60 dB of isolation between the passive port 45 and any one ofthe active ports 50, 52, 54 and 56 and the entry port 44. This degree ofisolation is achieved by sizing the MoCA frequency rejection filters 90,104 and 108 to achieve the desired 60 dB of signal isolation. Thepreferred approach is to size each of the three MoCA frequency rejectionfilters 90, 104 and 108 to have at least 30 dB of isolationindividually, because the effect of multiple filters is additive.

In addition to the benefits of rejecting the MoCA signals in the CATVsignal paths, the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 also contributes tothe strength of the MoCA signals communicated in the MoCA network 14.The rejection capability of the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 isachieved in part by reflecting MoCA signals, rather than by absorbingthe power or strength of the MoCA signals. The MoCA signals reflectedfrom the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 pass directly downstreamthrough the splitter/combiner 94. Although the strength of the reflectedMoCA signals is divided by the splitter/combiner 94, the strength of thesplit reflected MoCA signals at the signal component legs 91, 92, 93 and95 adds to the strength of the MoCA signals present at the signalcomponent legs 91, 92, 93 and 95. Without the additive effect from thesplit reflected MoCA signals, the strength of the MoCA signals availableat the signal component legs 91, 92, 93 and 95 depends entirely uponsplitter jumping. As discussed above, splitter jumping involves asubstantial signal attenuation, thus substantially reducing the MoCAsignal strength at the ports 50, 52, 54 and 56. By adding the effect ofthe split MoCA signals reflected from the MoCA frequency rejectionfilter 90, the MoCA signals available from the signal component legs 91,92, 93 and 95 to be communicated to the MoCA interface devices 72 issubstantially enhanced by the signal reflection characteristics of theMoCA frequency rejection filter 90.

The enhanced signal strength of the MoCA signals created by thereflections from the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90 also contributesto reducing the strength of the MoCA signals which bleed through theMoCA frequency rejection filter 90. As discussed above, the MoCAcommunication protocol has a capability of communicating informationdescribing the received signal strength between the transmitting andreceiving MoCA interface devices. A low signal strength will result inthe transmitting MoCA interface device increasing the strength of thetransmitted signal. Without the additive effect from the split reflectedMoCA signals at the signal component legs 91, 92, 93 and 95, the signalstrength received by the receiving MoCA interface device would besubstantially attenuated because of the splitter jumping of the MoCAsignal between the signal component legs of the splitter/combiner 94.The diminished signal strength would be communicated to the transmittingMoCA interface device, and the transmitting MoCA interface device wouldrespond by increasing the strength of the transmitted MoCA signals. Theincreased strength of the transmitted MoCA signals would not be aseffectively rejected by the MoCA frequency rejection filter 90, therebypermitting more residual MoCA signal strength to bleed through into theCATV signal communication paths of the entry adapter. However, byenhancing the MoCA signal strength at the signal component legs 91, 92,93 and 95 due to the additive effect of the MoCA signals reflected fromthe MoCA frequency rejection filter 90, the signal strength of thetransmitted MoCA signals is lower, resulting in less MoCA signalbleed-through and less required MoCA signal rejection to obtain properfunctionality of the eMTA device 21.

The second MoCA frequency rejection filter 104 is important when thethird MoCA frequency rejection filter 108 is connected to the CATV entryport 44 of the CATV entry adapter 10. Some portion of the residualbleed-through MoCA signals is reflected from the third MoCA frequencyrejection filter 108, and those rejected residual MoCA signals passthrough the splitter/combiner 76 to the passive communication path 79.Consequently, including the third MoCA frequency rejection filter 108 atthe CATV entry port 44 enhances the strength or power of the residualMoCA frequencies conducted into the passive communication path 79 due tosignal reflection.

The CATV entry adapter 10 beneficially contributes to the quality ofservice available from the CATV network 20 and from the MoCA network 14.The proper functionality of an eMTA device 21 at the subscriber premisesis sustained even when the eMTA device 21 is not MoCA-enabled and a MoCAnetwork is established with the entry adapter 21. The MoCA frequencyrejection filter(s) suppress(es) those residual MoCA signals which bleedfrom the MoCA network into the passive CATV signal communication path,thereby preserving the intended functionality of lifeline or anothereMTA device connected to the entry adapter 10. The CATV entry adapter 10is fully functional as a MoCA network hub to communicate adequatestrength MoCA signals between all MoCA interface devices and multimediadevices, while simultaneously preserving the intended CATVfunctionality. The CATV entry adapter also prevents or greatly inhibitsMoCA signals from reaching the CATV network, thereby avoiding acompromise in the privacy and security of the MoCA content which isexpected to be maintained only within the MoCA network of the subscriberpremises. Similarly, the CATV entry adapter also prevents or greatlyinhibits MoCA signals present on the CATV network 20 from entering theadapter and interfering with the proper functionality of the subscriberequipment connected to the entry adapter. The advantageous functionalityof the CATV entry adapter is obtained within the housing of the CATVentry adapter, thereby shielding that desirable functionality fromunauthorized tampering, negligence in installation, and physicalexposure. The multi-functional aspects of the CATV entry adapter allowit to be used in many situations, thereby increasing its economies ofscale and use and facilitating greater convenience in installation bythe CATV service provider. The CATV entry adapter 10 allows subscribersmore flexibility in expanding and changing both their CATV subscriberequipment and their MoCA network and multimedia devices.

The significance of these and other improvements and advantages willbecome apparent upon gaining a full appreciation of the presentinvention. Preferred embodiments of the invention and many of itsimprovements have been described above with a degree of particularity.The detailed description is of preferred examples of implementing theinvention. The details of the description are not necessarily intendedto limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention isdefined by the following claims.

We claim:
 1. An entry adapter, comprising: an entry port configured tobe electrically connected to a cable television (CATV) network such thatthe entry port is configured to receive downstream CATV signals from theCATV network and provide upstream CATV signals to the CATV network; afirst splitter electrically connected to the entry port, the firstsplitter having a first output and a second output; a second splitterhaving a plurality of output ports; a first port; a plurality of secondports, each of the plurality of second ports being electricallyconnected to a respective one of the plurality of outputs of the secondsplitter; a first signal path extending between the first output of thefirst splitter and the first port; and a second signal path extendingbetween the second output of the first splitter and the second splitter;and a frequency rejection device electrically connected to the secondsplitter and the second signal path, wherein: the plurality of secondports are configured to receive multimedia over coaxial alliance (MoCA)signals from subscriber devices electrically connected thereto; thesecond splitter is configured to communicate the MoCA signals betweenthe plurality of second ports; and the frequency rejection device isconfigured to at least partially prevent the MoCA signals from beingtransmitted from the second ports to the second signal path.
 2. Theentry adapter of claim 1, further comprising a second frequencyrejection device positioned in the first signal path, wherein the secondfrequency rejection device is configured to at least partially preventthe MoCA signals from reaching the first port.
 3. The entry adapter ofclaim 2, further comprising a third frequency rejection devicepositioned between the first splitter and the entry port, wherein thesecond frequency rejection device is configured to at least partiallyprevent the MoCA signals from being transmitted from the first splitterto the entry port.
 4. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the firstport is configured to be connected to an embedded multimedia terminaladapter (eMTA) device.
 5. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein thefrequency rejection device comprises a low pass filter configured toblock signals having frequencies above about 1125 MHz.
 6. The entryadapter of claim 1, wherein the downstream CATV signals are in afrequency range of between about 54 MHz and about 1002 MHz, the upstreamCATV signals are in a frequency range of between about 5 MHz and about42 MHz, and the MoCA signals are in a frequency range of between about1125 MHz and 1675 MHz.
 7. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein thesecond signal path comprises one or more powered signal conditioningcomponents, and wherein the first signal path is free from poweredsignal conditioning components.
 8. The entry adapter of claim 1, whereinthe second signal path comprises an upstream path and a downstream path,the upstream path and the downstream path being prevented fromcommunicating with one another.
 9. The entry adapter of claim 8,wherein: the upstream path comprises a CATV upstream filter configuredto block at least the CATV downstream signals, and an amplifierelectrically connected to the CATV upstream filter; and the downstreampath comprises a CATV downstream filter configured to block at least theCATV upstream signals.
 10. An entry adapter, comprising: entry portmeans for connecting to a cable television (CATV) network to receivedownstream CATV signals from the CATV network and provide upstream CATVsignals to the CATV network; first splitter means for providing the CATVdownstream signals to a first output and a second output, for receivingthe upstream CATV signals at the first and second outputs, and forcombining the upstream CATV signals received at the first and secondoutputs; first port means for connecting to a subscriber device; secondport means for connecting to a plurality of multimedia over coaxialalliance (MoCA) enable devices, for receiving MoCA signals from the MoCAenabled devices, and for providing the MoCA signals to the MoCA enabledevices, the second port means comprising a plurality of second ports;first signal path means for transmitting the upstream and downstreamCATV signals between the first output of the first splitter means andthe first port means; second signal path means for transmitting theupstream and downstream CATV signals to and from the second output ofthe first splitter means; second splitter means for receiving thedownstream CATV signals from the first signal path means, providing thedownstream CATV signals to a plurality of outputs connected to thesecond port means, and communicating the MoCA signals received from oneof the first ports with one or more others of the first ports; andfrequency rejection means for blocking the MoCA signals, the frequencyrejection means being positioned electrically between the secondsplitter means and the second signal path.
 11. The entry adapter ofclaim 10, wherein the subscriber device comprises an embedded multimediaterminal adapter (eMTA) device.
 12. The entry adapter of claim 10,wherein the frequency rejection means comprises a low pass filterconfigured to block frequencies above about 1125 MHz.
 13. The entryadapter of claim 10, wherein the second signal path means comprises oneor more powered signal conditioning components, and wherein the firstsignal path means is free from powered signal conditioning components.14. The entry adapter of claim 10, wherein the downstream CATV signalsare in a frequency range of between about 54 MHz and about 1002 MHz, theupstream CATV signals are in a frequency range of between about 5 MHzand about 42 MHz, and the MoCA signals are in a frequency range ofbetween about 1125 MHz and 1675 MHz.
 15. The entry adapter of claim 10,further comprising second frequency rejection means for blocking MoCAsignals, the second frequency rejection means being positionedelectrically between the first splitter and the entry port.
 16. Theentry adapter of claim 15, further comprising third frequency rejectionmeans for blocking MoCA signals, the third frequency rejection meansbeing positioned in the first signal path.
 17. The entry adapter ofclaim 10, wherein the second signal path means comprises an upstreampath and a downstream path, the upstream path and the downstream pathbeing prevented from communicating with one another.
 18. The entryadapter of claim 10, wherein: the upstream signal path comprises a CATVupstream filter configured to block at least the CATV downstreamsignals, and an amplifier connected to the CATV upstream filter; and thedownstream signal path comprises a CATV downstream filter configured toblock at least the CATV upstream signals.
 19. An entry adapter,comprising: an entry port configured to be electrically connected to acable television (CATV) network such that the entry port is configuredto receive downstream CATV signals from the CATV network and provideupstream CATV signals to the CATV network; a first splitter electricallyconnected to the entry port, the first splitter having a first outputand a second output; a second splitter having a plurality of outputports; a passive port; a plurality of active ports, each of theplurality of active ports being electrically connected to a respectiveone of the plurality of outputs of the second splitter; a passive signalpath extending between the first output of the first splitter and thepassive port, wherein the passive signal path is free from poweredsignal conditioning components; and an active signal path extendingbetween the second output of the first splitter and the second splitter,the active signal path comprising an upstream signal path and adownstream signal path, the upstream signal path and the downstreamsignal path being prevented from communicating with one another, theupstream signal path comprising a CATV upstream filter configured toblock at least the CATV downstream signals, and an amplifier connectedto the CATV upstream filter, and the downstream signal path comprising aCATV downstream filter configured to block at least the CATV upstreamsignals; and a frequency rejection device electrically connected to thesecond splitter and the active signal path, wherein: the plurality ofactive ports are configured to receive multimedia over coaxial alliance(MoCA) signals from subscriber devices electrically connected thereto;the second splitter is configured to communicate the MoCA signalsbetween the plurality of active ports; and the frequency rejectiondevice is configured to at least partially prevent the MoCA signals frombeing transmitted from the active ports to the active signal path. 20.The entry port of claim 19, wherein the active signal path extends fromthe first splitter to the frequency rejection device, and wherein thepassive signal path extends from the first splitter to the passive port.